Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bimini and how do I get to there?
Bimini is a small Bahamian island about 50 miles east of Miami. You can fly into Miami or Ft Lauderdale and from there catch a Continental flight to Bimini. You will want to book a Sunday morning flight to the island as we are heading out to swim with the dolphins Sunday afternoon.

How do I get home from Bimini?
You will leave Bimini on the last day of the trip, Friday morning, for Ft Lauderdale or Miami. There is a Continental flight that leaves Bimini at 9:45a.m. and should get you back to the U.S. within 30 minutes. That being said please leave yourself plenty of breathing room for any unforeseen weather, to clear customs and check-in for your flight home.

What about staying overnight in Ft Lauderdale or Miami?
If you are flying into Ft Lauderdale, the Best Western is about ten minutes from the airport and has reasonable room rates. They have an early morning shuttle to get you back to the airport Sunday and also have a continental breakfast.  If you are flying into Miami and don’t anticipate any sightseeing while in Miami, the Biscayne Bay Marriott is a nice hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay. You can get a shuttle to/from the hotel or a taxi.

What’s Bimini like?
Bimini is one of the smallest of the Bahamian islands; known for its big game fishing and Atlantis legends. It’s about 7 miles long and 400 feet wide at its narrowest point. It’s made up of three major islands: North, South and East Bimini. There are approximately 1,600 native that live here. You won’t fine multiple blocks of resort-type hotel chains, casinos, glitzy shops or many tourists. It’s quite basic here with a few local restaurants and shops. If you enjoy getting away from it all, the outdoors and have a sense of adventure then this is your type of vacation!!

Can I have my own room?
All rooms are shared with one other person (same gender) and have private baths and 2 double beds. If you want your own room, the cost is increased by $250 when available. Rooms are all booked a year in advance.

What do I do when I arrive at the airport in Bimini?
Someone will be there to greet you!

How will the first day begin?
After clearing customs, we will take a short bus ride to the water taxi. The airport is actually on South Bimini and the hotel is on North Bimini. Getting from the airport to the hotel should take about 15-20 minutes. Once we’ve gotten your luggage to your room, we will have an orientation in the Suite. After the orientation there’s a snorkel class at the beach for those who want it. Lunch is served at 1:30p so you have the rest of the morning to explore, take a swim, rent a golf cart, shop at the straw market-----whatever you like, this is your vacation! We’ll go out to play with the dolphins after lunch until sunset.

What extra costs are there?
Personal shopping and little food places are fun to explore. We suggest that you leave a gratuity for the chef, maids, the Bahamian kitchen assistant and boat staff for all the hard work they give in making your week great. It gets divided between them; we suggest a minimum of $125 per passenger. This will be collected on the morning of the last day (Friday).

What about money on Bimini?
Bring cash or travelers checks. One U.S. dollar = One Bahamian dollar. Credit cards can be used for golf cart rentals, scuba diving, bike rentals and purchases at some of the shops. Credit cards will not be accepted by the smaller shops, restaurants, straw market or boat rentals. There is a bank right by the hotel. THERE IS NO ATM ON THE ISLAND!

What kind of identification do I need?
You must travel with a valid passport. Birth certificates with valid ID are no longer accepted after December 31, 2006. If you do not reside in the U.S., you may want to check with your travel agent to make sure you have all the necessary traveling papers.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
It’s certainly easier and more relaxing if you’re a strong swimmer but most people actually aren’t. Not to worry, the dolphins come right up to you anyway and many times right at the surface. If you feel more comfortable, we have snorkel vests available and the boat is never too far from the swimmers. Please let us know ahead of time if you are interested in a vest.

What shall I bring?
Don’t bring any fancy clothes, you won’t wear them! The electrical plugs are the same as the USA but the hotel rooms do not have email access (you can truly enjoy being “unplugged”). Bring a beach towel, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, light clothing, swim suits, rain jacket, sweatshirt, seasick pills, personal toiletries, AND mask, fins & snorkel. The water temps vary from mid 70’s (in May) to the low 90’s (July/August). If you think you’ll get cold in the water, bring a 1-3/ml wetsuit or dive skin. Let us know if you need some snorkel gear, we do have some available.

What about the weather?
The weather can be unpredictable so we will be guided and somewhat controlled by it. Most days during spring and summer are "beautiful boat days", however, we are in the tropics and tropical storms are a possibility. We recommend the addition of travel insurance to protect you in the unlikely event of having some of your days cancelled. Ask us if you would like more info about this option.

How do I sign up?
Please email us @ dolfunswims@comcast.net if you are interested in making a reservation or if you have any personal questions or specific requests.  We'll be more than happy to talk with you!  And please remember, these are wild dolphins that we're swimming with and there are no guarantees.  We have no control over their behavior.  It's an open ocean and they are free to come and go as they please.  With that being said, the island is just beautiful, the water is a spectacular array of turquoise blues and we hope that you'll be with us to join in all the fun and gifts we receive from the water, new friends, the island, and of course, the dolphins!